A boy idled about everyday and did nothing but ate his head off. His father always wanted him to get out of this bad habit, but the boy never changed, not even a little.
His father had to guard his belongings against his son, fearing the son would steal his money or anything of value to exchange for snacks The father lived a hard life every day.
Strange to say , although the son was very lazy, he had never stolen anything from his father or the neighbors. He always got money by acceptable means. For example, he would save some pennies for his snacks when he was asked to buy wine. He could always find out a way to pocket a portion from oil, salt, vinegar and other household stuff to satisfy his piggish appetite.
To cure his son’s habit, the father decided to ask his son to do something with one requirement: so more with less money. But in spite of that, his son still did as he pleased.
One day, in a rage, the father threw one cent to his son. He told the boy to buy some cooking oil, knowing it would be difficult to do that with so little money.
The boy went to the shop. After filling the bottle, the shop assistant just held the bottle, but didn’t loosen his hand. The boy knew he wanted the money. After putting on an act, he said in embarrassment that he had lost the money.
The shop assistant had to pour out the oil again, and returned the empty bottle to the boy.
With a lolly in his mouth and the bottle in his hand, the boy went home happily.
“Where is the oil?” the father shouted angrily.
The boy lifted the bottle: the oil which had adhered to the bottle was slowly flowing to the bottom. There was only a small spoonful of oil in it.
The father shouted angrily again, “Why is there so little?”
“That’s just for one cent!” answered the boy.
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